Chefs' Homecoming Celebrated At Sorriso Kitchen In Chatham

CHATHAM, NJ — Chef Ryan Chatfield is returning to Sorriso Kitchen with a special "Sorriso at Night Event" that will pay homage to his roots in New York's Hudson Valley with some of the best food of the season.

The restaurant, located at 252 Main Street, has become a landmark within the community, particularly for its special needs students' work program, which was previously featured in a "Lifetime" segment.

Chatfield, who assisted owners Karen and Jimmy Bellas in opening the restaurant four years ago, has returned and is "home to stay," according to Bellas.

The "Homecoming" dinner will be held on October 20 at 6:30 p.m. Attendees can enjoy food by candlelight while listening to guitar music by the talented Michele Fiorindo.

Reservations are required to attend the dining event, which costs $125 per person. Although the event is BYOB, wine pairings will be suggested. The six-course menu includes crusted catfish, apple, arugula and goat cheese salad, wild mushroom bread pudding, large mouth sea bass with crab, quail roulade and melon ice cream.

Sorriso's mission, with "Sorriso" being the Italian word for "smile," has done just that, including special needs students from both the ECLC campus in Chatham and the Center School in Somerset who are learning through the hands-on work program.

The family created the restaurant after being inspired by their son, LJ, who has Down syndrome, and opened it up on Nov. 24, 2018, as a “safe place where LJ could work and be a vibrant part of the community he lives in.”

Sorriso Kitchen is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., to learn more about their Thursday ala carte dinners, Art Nights and other community events, click here.